Smooth Canadian r&b/rap artist Drake, who started as a teen actor in the Degrassi High series before going on to rule the American charts, will make his first Australian appearances when he headlines the touring Future Music Festival between February 28 and March 9.

Drake, who turns 28 on Friday and is one of the few artists to regularly top the American rap charts who can truly sing as well as rap, has been a huge star in the United States for five years and will be looking to similarly dominate here. His 2013 album, Nothing Was the Same, reached no. 2 in Australia and he has a new release planned for 2015.

Drake, who can truly sing and rap, will make his first visit to Australia for Future Music 2015.

Swede Avicii and Dutch artist Afrojack, both regulars in lists of the world's top 10 DJs, headline a newly-designed dance stage the festival wants to rival the best in the world. Techno-rock group The Prodigy returns as a main headliner, with Martin Garrix, Example, 2Chainz, Kiesza and Die Antwoord among other acts named in the first line-up announcement.

Further star names will come in a second announcement after Christmas, and after the festival added Pharrell Williams in January 2014 punters will have high expectations for what's to come. Organisers say they have opted for a smaller "more focused" 2015 lineup so far and have dropped first release ticket prices by $20 on 2013, to $139.90 for the 10-hour festival.

"Our 2015 lineup is a lot more focused, curated to deliver what people want but without excessive amounts of international talent that they can't get to see anyway," said promoter Brett Robinson. "We thought about the punter and the fact they may only get to see half a dozen acts."